Meridian

Climbers' bodies found in sea

Two bodies have been recovered from the sea after a search for two missing climbers from the South. A 48-year-old man from Sussex and a 23-year-old man from Hampshire went missing yesterday after climbing at Anglesey in North Wales.

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The two climbers who died near Anglesey were a teacher/housemaster and Old Blue (former pupil) at Christ's Hospital near Horsham.

The headmaster, John Franklin, said, “CH is a very close-knit community and the tragic loss of a popular teacher and a young Old Blue who were both experienced climbers, has shocked and saddened staff, pupils and the Old Blue community.

"A Chapel Service has been held for the school and we are doing all that we can to support those affected by their deaths. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and in particular, Mr Holme’s wife and his two children in this difficult time.”

An inquest has been opened and adjourned on two climbers whose bodies were found in the sea at the foot of cliffs near Holyhead. They were student Jack Hutton-Potts, 23, of Petersfield in Hampshire and 48-year-old Vaughan Richard Holme of Horsham in West Sussex.

The pair had been roped together on the Gogarth cliffs which are up to 400ft tall near the North Stack at Holyhead on the north coast of Anglesey. Friends had raised the alarm on Saturday night when they failed to meet them.

Three lifeboats and an RAF helicopter from the nearby Valley base took part in a major search. The bodies were found in the sea on Sunday morning and recovered by the crew of a lifeboat.

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The RAF has released footage showing the area where two bodies were recovered from the sea. They have not been formally identified, but the discovery follows a search for a 48 year old man from Sussex and a 21 year old man from Hampshire, who had been climbing at Anglesey in north Wales.

Two bodies have been recovered from the sea after two climbers from the south went missing yesterday. They have not been formally identified, but the discovery follows a search for a 48 year old man from Sussex and a 21 year old man from Hampshire, who had been climbing at Anglesey in north Wales.

They were reported missing around 10.15pm last night near the North Stack area of Holyhead. A search operation involving RAF 22 Squadron, the Coastguard and North Wales Police was halted at 1am this morning and resumed at first light.

The bodies were located in the sea shortly after 7.15am today. The North West Wales Coroner will be informed.